Will the world end?

I never thought that I would ever write a blog about rugby. Yes, I listen to all the conversations in the staff room and various other settings, Yes, I make comments(no doubt pretty unimoformed) and soak up the atmosphere. I have seen those who are just 'over it all' perking up a bit as we get to the hard end of the 'Cup.'
Of course there is all the talk about NZ 'choking' again. God, that makes me mad. Talk about willing something to happen. Is it that we lack that 'killer instinct' our Aussie cousins seem to possess? Is that the difference between our two nations? Maybe it's the generally tougher envirnonment that has made us differ in our response to a challenge?
Of course there are many examples of how we don't give up. Take the Americas Cup campaign and maybe the soccer team and the Breakers. They are fine examples of what can happen when we dig deep.
When it comes to rubgy, we seem to flag a little. I suggest that rugby is so close to the core of out national psyche, that we feel too deeply. I hear commentators talking about how the result could even affect the election--- hell what a stupid basis to decide who misgoverns us. Then I hear on TV today about how so many NZers are betting for Australia to win. OK--- just chuck it away my friends.
Now---- get a little balance. Life goes on despite the game and all the hype that surrounds it. That's my balanced side talking, but that little devil sitting on my shoulder is saying---'yeah right---  you're just like the rest of us--- lose and life sucks.'
I HOPE NOT.
Come on everyone--- get out there to the Fan Zones and soak it all up. The sun will rise again, after the final whistle and we have a wonderful country--- win or lose.

BUT WE WON EH!

Roskill is coming

ROSKILL---COMING SOON---MID-OCTOBER

What happens when a father enters the world of `P'? Does his family just accept it or do they find their own solutions? What does James do, the son? His sister, Lucy finds solace in the chatrooms. What are your teenagers doing now? Perhaps your partner is like John. We all have choices, but what would you do?

WEBSITE IS DOWN--- NEW ONE COMING--ORDER DIRECT THROUGH MY EMAIL 

neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com

Order your copy and watch out for media releases. Ask your local library if they have a copy?

www.authorneilcoleman.com   new website

ROSKILL----COMING MID-OCTOBER  Price NZ$38 plus postage   neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com


I STILL HAVE SOME COPIES OF BOTH BOOKS TO SELL DIRECT FROM MY STOCK

neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com   

'Roskill'

ROSKILL has finally gone to print and I shall recieve my first copies in mid-October.

ROSKILL is a story of our times. When the Campton family arrives from Christchurch to begin a new life in Mt Roskill, things don't go to plan. John (Dad) quickly becomes enmeshed in the world of 'P' and his family falls apart. His teenage children find solace in chatrooms and street gangs. Moana (Mum) seeks the help of her estranged family in Papatoetoe and comes up with a plan that borders on the illegal.

ROSKILL can be purchased direct from me, via my e-mail address.  neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com. If you want multiple copies (at a discount) go to my website and purchase through my publisher http://www.neilcolemanauthor.com/  and follow the link.

ROSKILL--- AVAILABLE MID-OCTOBER

Mmmm--- is she checking out a site for me?

Is she really checking out a site for me?  Nah--- I was down at the Onehunga Cemetry

 with the ladies and all the dogs--- it's really interesting seeing all the old graves-- way back at the begiining of European settlemnet of Old Onehunga. The dogs behaved themselves; not drawing too many dissaproving looks from other people visiting. I know some people don't like pets in such places, but its such an open park-like place, bordering the harbour, that I think it's fine. Oops-- my sistser has arrived so I better go and cook.

 Weird posting--- I know

Easy Rider

I love to take Perdy for her walk everyday and she lets me know big time, when that time is near. I was a bit late today, so she made sure that I was aware of her presence--- all the way to the bay--I think she may have reached about 70 decibels with her manic barking.

We arrived slightly later than ususal but the others were waiting. Perdy jumped out the car window and took off around the lagoon to meet her mates.

When we arrived back at the car park, we were met with a funny sight. Check it out. Gee--- I wonder if I could get Perdy to ride on the roof of my car; complete with hat and 'doggles.' Yes, that is a motor bike. The dog seemed quite happy, despite the cold day. Cute eh?

Butt shot

Every so often I like to go and see my brother, Lyndsay in hamilton. Janice comes too,  and we like to enjoy a nice meal and a bottle of wine. We started off and stoped at Te Kauwhata and that  cafe in the main street. It has become a bit of a tradition; we alternate between the cafe (I think it's called City) and the herb gardens, when it's open in the Summer.

Everything was going to plan and we arrived on time at eleven. Lyndsay made us welcome as usual. The plan this time was to try out Janice's new pressure cooker. We had brought a bolar roast to test out in the cooker; supplemented of course by a Vila Maria premium wine. Nothing but the best for these ocassions.

I burnt the cabbage because the stove rings work sort of back to front-- age catching up there I think-- the stoves, not mine. Thank God for frozen veggies. I browned the roast in oil along with onions. The smell was devine. Once browned I added a cup and a half of vegetable stock and closed the lid. In the meantime, I cooked pototoe, carrot and parsnip chips in the oven. It's real simple, just cut, add some oil, salt and pepper and dried herbs and cook at 220c for 25 minutes.

I was enjoying a glass of wine while I watched the pressure cooker when all of a sudden I felt this sting. Shit--- had I been bitten by a white-tailed spider? I have never seen them at Lyndsya's place. Wham another one--- God was the place infested? NO--- I was been attacked by something qujite differnet. Take a look at the picture. I'll get the bugger back. Next time I go down there--- it's war!

By the way--- the roast bolar was magnificent; tender, juicey with a majic gravy. 9Not Magi).

My next book--ROSKILL and others to come

 NOW for the waiting time. ROSKILL is almost here. I have just recieved  my advance copy to check and get my editior to go over it as I have learnt the hard way, that I just do not see all the errors. I am so happy with the cover design again. It also suggests a teenage audience, although many adults will find the story challenging. Afterall---'the drug 'P' is almost endemic in our society. Maybe my story is a little melodramatic, but life can be like that too.

ROSKILL will be available, hopefully by the end of August or early September at the latest. Hehehe--- perhaps I will buy one for my birthday. Mmmmm--- I wonder if I can get the launch date for the September the 4th.

Other news. I have sent  SONS OF ORPHEUS to a publisher. I am preparing myself for the rejections that accompany the real world once you leave the world of self-publishing.

I am a devil for punishment. At the moment I am working on yet another novel---TALK TO ME. It is a satirical look at the world of talkback radio where I am the host. Funny, sad, chilling and totallly cynical. Watch this space. www.authorneilcoleman.com

UPDATE--- ROKILL IS OUT BUT DOWN. I HAVE SOME COPIES YOU CAN ORDER DIRECTLY THROUGH MY EMAIL. SONS OF ORPHEUS WASN'T ACCEPTED BY PUBLISHERS SO I AM GOING TO REWORK IT AGAIN DURING 2012 AND PUBLISH IT MYSELF AS TWO BOOKS.    'TALK TO ME' WILL BE BLOGGED AND RELASED SOMETIME IN MAY 2012 AND BE AVAILABLE FROM MY NEW WEBSITE AT THAT TIME

The new Roskill with new coveer and ISBN is now out   go to    www.authorneilcoleman.com